Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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This study was carried out to explore hemostasis modifications occurring in pregnant women and thromboelastography profiles in those taking antithrombotic drugs. An exploratory study was carried out in the period from March 2017 to May 2018. Caucasian women from Southern Italy were recruited during a routine obstetric assessment. ⋯ No significant variations were found in women administered with prophylactic doses of low-molecular-weight heparin. Significantly higher fibrinolysis (p<0.01) was observed for "LY30" parameter in women taking low-dose aspirin versus women not taking any treatments. Our data contribute to better interpret thromboelastography profile in the context of peripartum complications, which are often unpredictable and need prompt therapies.
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Lack of clear evidence in red blood cell (RBC) transfusion during gastrointestinal bleeding has led to varied recommendations over the years. However, studies in broad areas of medicine have provided evidence about appropriate RBC transfusion thresholds, and a 'landmark' study published in 2013 provided evidence in patients with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding. We hypothesized that the response to the evidence would lead to improved RBC transfusion practice. Our aim was to determine the response in RBC transfusion practices at our institution. ⋯ The data suggest that there was an improvement in RBC transfusion practices after a landmark study. However, the data also highlight that RBC transfusion practices in UGI bleeding remain imperfect.
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Platelets, cell fragments traditionally thought of as important only for hemostasis, substantially and dynamically contribute to the immune system's response to infection. In addition, there is increasing evidence that externally active platelet entities, including platelet granules and platelet extracellular vesicles (PEVs), play a role not only in hemostasis, but also in inflammatory actions previously ascribed to platelets themselves. Given the functions of platelets and PEVs during inflammation and infection, their role in sepsis is being investigated. ⋯ Similar to cells traditionally ascribed to the immune system, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages, platelets are instrumental in helping a host clear an infection, but are also implicated in the uncontrolled amplification of the immune response that leads to sepsis. Clearly, the function of platelets is more complicated than its simple structure and primary role in hemostasis initially suggest. This review provides an overview of platelet and platelet extracellular vesicle structure and function, highlighting the complex role platelets and PEVs play in the body in the context of infection and sepsis.
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The microRNA expression profile of plasma exosomes in osteosarcoma needs to be further explored. The present study intends to investigate the practicality of plasma exosomal miRNAs as novel biomarkers of osteosarcoma. In the study, exosome-like vesicles were purified from the plasma of patients with osteosarcoma and healthy control. ⋯ In comparison to the controls, the expression levels of miR-92a-3p, miR-130a-3p, miR-195-3 p, miR-335-5 p, let-7i-3p were upregulated in the exosomes from patients with osteosarcoma with statistical significance. Studies in vitro and in vivo have proved that osteosarcoma-secreted exosomes from miR-195-3 p upregulated 143B osteosarcoma cells promote cell proliferation and invasion. Overall, the present study identified exosomal miRNAs with dysregulated expression in patients with osteosarcoma, and they may have potential as targets for the treatment of patients with osteosarcoma.
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This study tests our hypothesis that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an increased risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this nationwide retrospective cohort study, we used a subset of Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, involving 1 million randomly selected beneficiaries. Patients with newly diagnosed COPD between 2000 and 2008 were identified. ⋯ The highest risk was observed in the 'COPDAE+' group that aged <65 (the adjusted HR was 1.92; 95% CI 1.39 to 2.64). COPD has been linked to complications beyond the respiratory system. In this study we showed that COPD is associated with an increased risk of TBI.